Brazil judge orders release of ex-president Michel Temer

Pulse News Agency International By Afp 15:12 - 11 August 2024

Add Pulse as a preferred source on Google

Former Brazilian president Michel Temer was detained on allegations of corruption

A Brazilian judge on Monday ordered the release of ex-president Michel Temer, days after the former leader was detained on allegations of being the leader of a "criminal organization."

The preventative detention of Temer, the 78-year-old predecessor of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, had no legal justification, judge Antonio Ivan Athie said in the ruling.

Athie extended the release order to former mines and energy minister Moreira Franco, who was also arrested Thursday along with several other people.

"I am not against the so-called Car Wash (investigation)," Athie said.

"I want to see our country free from the corruption that plagues it. However, without consitutional guarantees, guaranteed to all ... there is no legitimacy in the fight against this plague."